The centres of knowledge in Yemen. Shaykh Muhammad ibn Hizaam

بســـم اللــه الرحــمــن الـرحـــيــم

...▪️Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Hizaam's praise for the centres of knowledge in Yemen as well as those in charge over them; includes a call to maintain brotherhood & unity and a warning against differing & disunity▪️

Our Shaykh, Muhammad ibn Hizaam -may Allaah preserve him- was asked the following question:

📩 Question:

The questioner says: If someone is unable to travel to seek knowledge with you at your centre, where else in Yemen would you advise him to go to seek knowledge?

📝 Answer:

Thanks to Allah -exalted is He, Most High- there are plenty of Hadeeth institutes and Sunni Masjids all across Yemen, and this is the virtue of Allah the Almighty. There is not a province or a town except that in most cases you'll be able to find a Sunni scholar or a student of knowledge teaching people good; based on the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger ﷺ. 

Praise be to Allah the Almighty. It is through the virtue of Allah that these Hadeeth institutes and Sunni Masjids have been established everywhere, inside, as well as outside of Yemen. This is all by the virtue of Allah the Almighty, and good is on the rise. Perhaps, those living outside of Yemen might not be fully aware of this, but whoever witnesses this good; whoever finds it, seeks it and sees it with his own eyes (will realise this). 

1. If you are in Sana'a, you have our brother Sheikh Abdul Basit Ar-Raydi, may Allah preserve him, at Masjid As-Sunnah in Sa'wan. He gives good classes, one can benefit from him. 

2. Likewise, you have Sheikh Muhammad Al-Qaysi in Masjid Al-Fat-h, may Allah reward him with good. He too gives good classes and benefits. 

3. Then there's Sheikh 'Ali Al-Hajjaji in Masjid Bashair Al-Khair. His classes are also good. May Allah reward them all. 

4. At Masjid Bilal, on the road leading to the airport, you have Sheikh 'Aadil Al-'Udayni. May Allah preserve them all. 

5. Also, in the area of Ar-Rimaah, you have Abdul Malik al-Matari too teaching classes, may Allah reward him and keep us both firm. 

6. If you are from Dhamaar, you have Masjid As-Sunnah in the area of As-Sabari. There you will find our noble brother, the Daa'ee, Muhammad Al-'Aansi', may Allah preserve him, Maa Shaa Allah, he is upon good and firmly established. 

7. Similarly, in Hudaydah, we have our noble brother, Abdullah Al-Hakami at Masjid Al-Istiqaamah. 

8. As well, our brother, the noble Daa'ee, Abu 'Aasim Abdullah Ad-Duba'i at Masjid Abi Dharr. 

9. Also, in the area of Bayt Al-Faqeeh, we have our brother Sha'been, may Allah reward him.

10. If you are in Dhaali', you have our noble brother, the blessed Sheikh, Rashaad Adh-Dhaali'i, may Allah reward him with good. He has good efforts and is in charge of a blessed Da'wah. We ask Allah to grant us both success and guide us aright. 

11. If you are in Ta'iz, then there a number of virtuous brothers, including our brother, Sheikh Abdurrahmam Ash-Shimerri, who gives beneficial classes in the province of Ta'iz.

12. Then there's Sheikh Yusuf Ash-Shar'abi in Maawiyah, may Allah grant him success, as well as our brother, the noble Daa'ee, Najeeb Ash-Shar'abi.

13. Also, Sheikh Khaleel Al-'Udayni in the district of At-Turba.

14. And Sheikh Abu Bakr al-Hammadi in the city of Al-Qa'idah. 

Maa Shaa Allah, there are many Daa'ees and virtuous brothers, all calling towards good, adhering to the Sunnah and remaining firm.

15. If you are in 'Aden, then you have our brother, the noble Sheikh, Ahmad ibn 'Uthman Al-Adani in Burayqah. 

16. As well, Sheikh Hussein Al-Hutaibi in Salah Ad-Deen. 

17. And Sheikh Saami ibn Dhaybaan at Masjid As-Sunnah in the area of 'Sheikh Uthman'.

Likewise, in Hadramawt, Maa Shaa Allah, there are many brothers giving Da'wah and teaching the people. 

18. From them is the blessed Sheikh, Abu Ammaar Yaasir Al-Adeni -may Allah preserve him-. He is in charge of a blessed Da'wah in Mukalla, and he is a thoughtful and wise individual. 

19. Therein also is Masjid As-Sunnah of Sheikh Abu Bilal Al-Hadhrami, may Allah preserve and bless him, and keep us both firm.

20. Likewise, in Dees, we have Sheikh Hassan Ba-Shu'ayb

21. And over in Say'oon, we have our noble brother, the Daa'ee, Jam'aan Al-Ahmar Al-Hadhrami.

22. Similarly, In Mahra, Maa Shaa Allah, there's virtuous brothers who have established a good Da'wah, such as Sheikh Abdul-Khaliq Al-'Imad, may Allah reward him with good and keep us both firm. He is in charge of the Da'wah and is responsible for much good. 

22. You also have Sheikh AbdulHameed Al-Hajuri in Ghaydha, may Allah reward him with good and keep us both firm. He is in charge of the Da'wah there, and he has (protective) jealousy for good and the Sunnah. 

23. As well, in the province of Al-Baydhaa, there are a group of virtuous Daa'ees from amongst our brothers.

So you are able to find good all over Yemen, wherever you may be. Maa Shaa Allah, the good is widespread, and perhaps we forgot to mention many more of our brothers who call to the path of Allah. 

In any case, the point is there are plenty of Sunni centres and Hadeeth institutes wherever you may be, thanks to Allah -exalted is He, the Most High-. 

So we advise you to benefit from whoever you can from Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah; those who are firmly established upon the Sunnah, who are recognised for their knowledge, teaching and their jealousy for the Sunnah; as well, those who are concerned about maintaining brotherhood and preserving unity - those who have concern for brotherhood and preserving unity.

As for those who couldn't care less about maintaining brotherhood; as soon as his brother makes a mistake, he immediately warns against him, such that the Da'wah becomes disjointed, then this type is not worthy of bearing the Da'wah. 

One of the most important qualities of a Daa'ee is his great concern for preserving unity and maintaining brotherhood. A Daa'ee has to have forbearance; for example, if one of the brothers speaks ill of him, he should overlook it in order to maintain unity and preserve this blessed Da'wah. If he can't put up with this, then he's not worthy enough to be a Daa'ee!!!

This is a crucial matter which needs pointing out; that a Daa'ee must be keen to unite people upon the truth and the Sunnah. As for those who stubbornly reject the truth in favour of Bid'ah and following desires, then there's another way of dealing with this type; and it's they who cause friction by opposing the truth.

While we're at it, I'd like to remind myself and every Sunni, wherever they may be, to fear Allah the Almighty with regards to (rectifying) errors and mistakes!!! Many of the errors and mistakes (which some of the brothers fall into) do not necessitate abandonment or boycotting. Many of these mistakes may be due to personal differences!!! Your brother fell short in your regards; perhaps he thought ill of you or was prejudiced towards you, and all of a sudden you turn these personal differences into Manhaj issues and accuse your brother of innovation, misguidance and being opposed to the Sunnah; although whoever hears about these accusations will realise that this is a personal thing between the two of you!!! Whereas, in reality he adheres to the Aqeedah of Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah. He believes in exactly the same things that you believe in from the doctrine of Ahlus-Sunnah. He follows the same Manhaj and adopts the same approach as you in dealing with innovators and those who've gone astray. But in spite of all this, you take these personal differences and make it seem as though this man is an innovator and a misguided individual. My brother, Fear Allah! 

{وَلَا یَجۡرِمَنَّكُمۡ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوۡمٍ عَلَىٰۤ أَلَّا تَعۡدِلُوا۟ۚ ٱعۡدِلُوا۟ هُوَ أَقۡرَبُ لِلتَّقۡوَىٰۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِیرُۢ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ}

"Do not let the hatred of a people lead you to injustice. Be just! That is closer to righteousness. And be mindful of Allah. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what you do." 

[Surat Al-Ma'idah 8]

{یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوا۟ قَوَّ ٰ⁠مِینَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ شُهَدَاۤءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوۡ عَلَىٰۤ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَوِ ٱلۡوَ ٰ⁠لِدَیۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِینَۚ إِن یَكُنۡ غَنِیًّا أَوۡ فَقِیرࣰا فَٱللَّهُ أَوۡلَىٰ بِهِمَاۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ ٱلۡهَوَىٰۤ أَن تَعۡدِلُوا۟ۚ وَإِن تَلۡوُۥۤا۟ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِیرࣰا}

"O believers! Stand firm for justice as witnesses for Allah even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or close relatives. Be they rich or poor, Allah is best to ensure their interests. So do not let your desires cause you to deviate ˹from justice˺. If you distort the testimony or refuse to give it, then ˹know that˺ Allah is certainly All-Aware of what you do."

[Surat An-Nisa' 135]

So Fear Allah! Every one of us must fear Allah O Ahlus-Sunnah! There's enough friction as it is!!! The enemies are laughing at us!!! The misguided innovators are laughing at us. The enemies of Islam and the enemies of the Sunnah are all laughing!!! They sit there watching us, saying: "you people are just going to end up differing". They laugh at Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah, expecting us to disagree amongst ourselves, either today, tomorrow or the day after!!!

So beware, beware! We have to fear Allah the Almighty. Mistakes must be dealt with accordingly. They must be referred back to the people of knowledge to deal with, because it's they who know what measures to take. As for taking matters into one's own hands, such that when one falls out with his fellow Sunni brother, even though it's him who's in the wrong; perhaps he was biased towards you, it's possible for envy, prejudices, etc. to exist between brothers; a person might follow his desires in some matters; these are all possible. But we mustn't make the Da'wah bear the brunt of our personal differences. You can't just expel someone from the Sunnah because he was biased towards you!!! He is an innovator; how can he speak about me like this? It must be because he's an innovator.

We have to all fear Allah O Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah! We have to fear Allah the Almighty and weigh things correctly and deal with matters appropriately.

You will find that a lot of differences that exist in many countries boil down to personal differences; a brother offends another, so the ones who was offended retaliates by ascribing his brother to misguidance and innovation. Not only that, he begins recalling and mentioning his every mistake, even those that took place one or two years ago; 'a year ago I saw him speaking with such and such innovator, and two years ago I saw him giving Salaam to such and such innovator'!!!! Ok, are we supposed to forget and overlook his whole entire Manhaj, because once upon a time he gave salaam to an innovator?!! If so, then why wasn't he deemed an innovator back then when he was hanging around the Hizbees? Why did the ruling have to wait until you fell out?!! This is a door to evil. 

So we must fear Allah O Ahlus-Sunnah. We must pay great concern to maintaining unity and we must stay clear of this type of people and warn against them in order for others to be aware of them and so they too can warn others; i.e. these kind of people who turn personal differences into issues of Manhaj and Aqeedah, until he deems him to be an innovator and begins warning against him. This is a door to evil. We have to fear Allah the Almighty and refrain from such things. 

What's more, the brother might have owned up to his mistake with regards to his Sunni brother; he made a mistake and he owns up to it and apologises, yet still he insists on calling him a deviant innovator. What is innovation? He warns from our classes. Ok, the issue is only between you and him. He adheres to the exact same Aqeedah and Manhaj as you, and he loves all of his Sunni brothers. The devil sowed enmity between the pair of you, so why don't you say this is from whisperers of the devil and so on? Why do you have to expell him from the Sunnah!!!

We seek refuge in Allah. We seek refuge with Allah. We seek the help of Allah. We seek the help of Allah. Due yo this, our Da'wah becomes, as some of the Hizbees say, a Da'wah which eats itself up. Some of the Hizbees laugh at the actions of such people, and due to them, they generalise and paint the whole Da'wah using the same brush; this Da'wah eats itself up. 

Beware, beware! We must beware of this matter. By Allah, this has nothing to do with our Da'wah. By Allah, this has nothing to do with our Da'wah, nor anything to do with the Salafi Manhaj. 

Differences have taken place between the scholars, past and present; the scholars of Hadeeth have disagreed. Disagreements have occurred between some of the scholars due to the whispers of the devil. There's no denying this. But it never went as far as warning against one another and expelling one another from the Sunnah!!! We don't know of this. And if there anyone warned against the other, it wouldn't be accompanied with Tabdee' and expulsion from the Sunnah. Allah alone is sufficient as an aid for us and He is the best Protector. Allah alone is sufficient as an aid for us and He is the best Protector.

We ask Allah the Almighty to rectify our situation. We ask Allah the Almighty to rectify our affairs and to preserve our Da'wah.

O Allah, preserve our Da'wah for us. 

O Allah, preserve our Da'wah for us. 

O Allah, preserve our Da'wah for us. 

O Allah, preserve our religion for us. 

O Allah, preserve our religion for us. 

O Allah, protect every Sunni masjid and every institute of Hadeeth, wherever it may be.

O Allah, protect every Sunnah masjid and every institute of Hadeeth, wherever it may be.

O Allah, protect them from the harms and evil plans of those who plot and scheme against them. 

O Allah, rectify our affairs and rectify our Da'wah. 

O Allah, remove from us and our Da'wah all those who You know will bring corruption to our Da'wah.

O Allah, remove from us and our Da'wah all those who You know will bring corruption to our Da'wah, and protect us from their evil, O Lord of the worlds.

O Allah, preserve those known to You to be a means of good for our Da'wah and guide them and make them a source of guidance for others. 

Glory is to You, O Allah, and praise, I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except You, I seek Your forgiveness, and I repent to You. 

__________

Translated by:

Abu Ishaq Muhammad Ibn Ahmad Ba Alawi

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Original Fatwa:

https://t.me/ibnhezam/7417

Audio:

https://t.me/ibnhezam/5019